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Scalable Glycolysis-Based Depolymerization of Polyurethane Foam Wastes Enabled by Ionic Liquids
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DOI：10.1039/D5GC03643G.png)
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Abstract
En 中文
We report a sustainable and scalable strategy for the chemical depolymerization of polyurethane foam waste (PUFW); employing the ionic liquids (ILs) 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Bmim][Cl]) and 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([Bmim][OAc]) as dual-function systems that act both as reactive media and as efficient catalysts for the selective glycolysis of urethane bonds. Full depolymerization of PUFW is achieved under mild conditions (<100 °C; 1 atm) within 4-5 hours; offering a scalable alternative (up to 100 g of PUFW processing capability) to conventional glycolysis methods that typically require harsh thermal conditions (180–250 °C). The addition of water to the reaction medium enables the direct precipitation of the recycled polyol and allows for the efficient recovery and reuse of the water-miscible ILs [Bmim][Cl] and [Bmim][OAc]; enhancing the sustainability of the process The recycled product is then washed; dried; and analyzed by means of solubility test in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO); hydroxyl index (iKOH) value; nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR); and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. Finally; the obtained recycled polyol is homogenized with the virgin polyol to synthesize new flexible polyurethane foams (FPUFs) that display identical physico-chemical and mechanical properties as the original FPUF. It should be noted that this glycolytic depolymerization process does not generate waste; since the complete mixture of reaction products is suitable for reuse as starting material in the synthesis of new FPUFs. The active depolymerization medium is completely recoverable and reusable; proving its operational stability for up to six consecutive cycles and promoting the “greenness” of the process. Noteworthy; the effectiveness of this process is also demonstrated for the case of the recalcitrant rigid PUFs (RPUFs); namely as polyisocyanurate (PIR); not only pushing towards the versatility of this process; but also its potential application on an industrial scale
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